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Our Summary of Once Upon a Time by Nadine Gordimer

Published originally in 1989, Nadine Gordimer's work titled 'Once Upon a Time' is a symbolic story about the death of white supremacy and the subsequent birth of South African society. The story centers on multiple themes, which include violence, freedom, death and regeneration, and the structure of the fairy tale. Gordimer is a character within the story. At the beginning of the story, Gordimer is asked to compose a short story for a children's book. The person asking the question believes that it is Gordimer's duty to provide the short story. Gordimer refuses and rejects the idea, believing that she has a personal right to artistic freedom. She believes that no artist should be required or compelled to write on demand. Creating a work on demand goes against the role of writer and author. Gordimer structured the story as a fairy tale in which she tells a story of an intruder (white supremacy) and the havoc he wreaks. Gordimer ends 'Once Upon a Time' with violence.

More Books by Nadine Gordimer

FreeBookNotes has 19 more books by Nadine Gordimer, with a total of 82 study guides.